Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) JS3 N68MF

Summary

On 13 September 2025 at about 17:52 local time, a Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) JS3 registered N68MF was involved in an accident near New Castle, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 September 2025 at 17:52

Classification

Accident

Location

New Castle, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

New Castle Intl (VA85)

Coordinates

37.4835, -80.0998

Aircraft

Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) JS3

Registration

N68MF

Category

Glider

Year built

2022

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA25LA354

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to properly configure the glider for landing, which resulted in an excessive descent rate during approach, and subsequent collision with trees short of the intended landing area.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the turbine powered (jet sustainer) motorglider reported that during descent to the airport, he deployed and operated the jet sustainer for 90 seconds. After turning off the jet sustainer, the pilot forgot to stow it, resulting in increased drag. After entering the traffic pattern, the pilot configured the glider for landing by extending the flaps and landing gear, but the jet sustainer remained extended. The pilot noticed a sink rate in excess of normal, and attempted to resolve the condition by reducing flaps, but inadvertently placed the flaps in the full negative position, which deployed the spoilers and increased the sink rate further. He continued in the airport traffic pattern; however, during the base leg to final leg turn, he realized that impact with a tree line was likely and decided to level the wings to make contact with the trees in a controlled fashion. The glider subsequently impacted the trees resulting in substantial damage to its right wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the glider.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.